Checkpoint Solutions Creates RFID Theft-Prevention Division, Online Training
Thorofare, N.J.–based Checkpoint Systems Inc., maker of shrink management and apparel labeling solutions, named Per Levin president of its newly created merchandise visibility solutions division.
The new division was created to focus on the growing use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology by apparel makers and retailers. RFID can be used to prevent theft, improve inventory accuracy, eliminate out-of-stocks and reduce markdowns.
The new division capitalizes on Checkpoint’s acquisition of OATSystems in 2008 and Brilliant Label Manufacturing in 2009.
OATSytems is an RFID-based software application for the retail, consumer products, consumer electronics, manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace and defense industries.
Based in China, Brilliant Label manufactures paper, fabric, and woven tags and labels in facilities in Hong Kong and China. The acquisitions allowed Checkpoint to create labels with embedded RFID and RF-EAS (radio-frequency electronic article surveillance) tags to help apparel retailers to track their products with a single solution.
“I am confident that the talent and technology is now in place to win in this emerging business process,” said Rob van der Merwe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Checkpoint Systems, in a statement. “[The purchase of OATSystems and Brilliant Label Manufacturing has enabled] the company to provide RFID software engineering and expanded global label printing. These capabilities, together with our legacy assets and global footprint, combine to offer Checkpoint’s customers an important end-to-end solution.”
Checkpoint Systems also recently launched “Checkpoint Academy,” an online training program to help retailers with their loss-prevention efforts.
The modular program allows retailers to train in stages or brush up on new developments in electronic article surveillance (EAS) with refresher courses.
“Retailers need to continue to fight the multi-billion-dollar shrink problem on all fronts,” said Levin in a statement. “A training tool such as Checkpoint Academy—which enables large-scale retailers to train their staffs in EAS procedures at low cost, monitor compliance and maximize their loss-prevention investments—will grow with them as they move toward implementing RFID-based technologies to increase sales through better merchandise visibility.”
For more information, visit www.checkpointsystems.com.—Alison A. Nieder
